How the Chargers roster was built

The only player on this roster to have played in a Super Bowl (XXIX) as a Charger.

1998

Jamal Williams DT Supplemental draft, rd. 2

Only Bobby Beathard draft pick on the team.

2001

LaDainian Tomlinson RB Draft, rd. 1 (5th overall)

The Chargers could have had Michael Vick No. 1 overall. Instead, trade brought them one of best RBs ever, Tim Dwight and a second-round pick in '02 (Reche Caldwell). And no Vick mess.

2002

Quentin Jammer CB Draft, rd. 1 (5th overall)

John Butler's final pick has become one of the league's best at his position.

2003

Matt Wilhelm ILB Draft, rd. 4 (112th overall)

Mike Scifres P Draft, rd. 5 (149th overall)

Jacques Cesaire DE Undrafted FA

Stephen Cooper ILB Undrafted FA

Kris Dielman G Undrafted FA

Antonio Gates TE Undrafted FA

Kassim Osgood WR Undrafted FA

One current starter and the league's best punter were drafted. But the real legacy of this class is the undrafted players who have been key contributors. Dielman, Gates, and Osgood are Pro Bowlers.

2004

Philip Rivers QB Trade (NYG)

Igor Olshansky DE Draft, rd. 2 (35th overall)

Nate Kaeding K Draft, rd. 3 (65th overall)

Nick Hardwick C Draft, rd. 3 (66th overall)

Shaun Phillips OLB Draft, rd. 4 (98th overall)

Ryon Bingham DL Draft, rd. 7 (204th overall)

Clinton Hart S Waivers (Phi)

Mike Goff G Unrestricted FA (Cin)

Malcom Floyd WR Undrafted FA

If there is a single moment that signifies the turning of a franchise's fortunes, it might be this draft. Draft-day deal for swapping Rivers for Eli Manning also got the Chargers the pick they used to get Kaeding and pick they used the next year to take Shawne Merriman. Olshansky, Hardwick and Phillips are also starters, as are Goff and Hart, the former Arena League player cast off from the Eagles.

2005

Shawne Merriman OLB Draft, rd. 1 (12th overall)

Luis Castillo DE Draft, rd. 1 (28th overall)

Vincent Jackson WR Draft, rd. 2 (61st overall)

Darren Sproles RB Draft, rd. 4 (130th overall)

Scott Mruczkowski G-C Draft, rd. 7 (242nd overall)

Marques Harris OLB Undrafted FA

Despite having traded away third-and fifth-round choices for Keenan McCardell and Roman Oben, the Chargers made the most of this draft.

2006

Antonio Cromartie CB Draft, rd. 1 (19th overall)

Marcus McNeill T Draft, rd. 2 (50th overall)

Charlie Whitehurst QB Draft, rd. 3 (81st overall)

Tim Dobbins ILB Draft, rd. 5 (151st overall)

Jeromey Clary T Draft, rd. 6 (187th overall)

Cletis Gordon CB Undrafted FA

Steve Gregory S Undrafted FA

Brandon McKinney DT Undrafted FA

Brandon Manumaleuna TE Trade (StL)

Billy Volek QB Trade (Ten)

The Chargers were considered to have reached on their first two picks. McNeill has been to two Pro Bowls in two years; Cromartie had 10 interceptions and went to the Pro Bowl last season. Clary is an adequate starter, and Manumaleuna is one of A.J. Smith's most underrated deals.

2007

Buster Davis WR Draft, rd. 1 (30th overall)

Eric Weddle S Draft, rd. 2 (37th overall)

Anthony Waters ILB Draft, rd. 3 (96th overall)

Legedu Naanee WR Draft, rd. 5 (172nd overall)

Brandon Siler ILB Draft, rd. 7 (240th overall)

Paul Oliver S Supplemental draft (rd. 4)

Jyles Tucker OLB Undrafted FA

Chris Chambers WR Trade (Mia)

Chambers was the single-biggest reason the Chargers turned around their season and made the playoffs. The trade to move up and take Weddle (for a second, two thirds and a fifth) was widely questioned, but the Chargers see him as a star here for the next decade.

2008

Antoine Cason CB Draft, rd. 1 (27th overall)

Jacob Hester RB Draft, rd. 3 (69th overall)

DeJuan Tribble CB Draft, rd. 6 (192nd overall)

Corey Clark T Undrafted FA

Mike Tolbert FB Undrafted FA

Derek Smith ILB FA

Jeremy Newberry C FA

L.J. Shelton T FA

Kynan Forney G FA

Kris Wilson TE FA

The impact of this class is yet to be determined, but Cason has been a quick learner and Hester appears primed to make people forget Michael Turner. The signings of Smith and Newberry take sting out of not having Stephen Cooper and Nick Hardwick for the start of the season.